St Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine Brittany)

St Malo from the Beach

St Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine Brittany) mini guide

Saint-Malo has all the features of a first class seaside resort with its rich architectural heritage and museums, superb beaches and harbour. 

It gets his name from a Welsh monk called Mac Low. St Malo has 29km of coast with 11 beaches over 8km.

Saint Malo is the international capital of sailing sports (Route du Rhum) and the second biggest port in Brittany. It has ferry routes to England, the Channel Islands, Ireland and the Breton Coasts.

Sites of interest include:

• The Aquarium Intra Muros where you can see many tropical fish.
• The Fort National: Built by Vauban in 1689, this stronghold assured the protection of the city for many years and offers exceptional view of the ramparts.
• The Labyrinthe du Corsaire:  A magnificent maze.
• The Fort du Petit Bé:  Situated just off of the coast this island fort can be accessed by boat at low tide.
• The Musee D'Histoire de la Ville: Discover the history of Saint-Malo and its people.
• Saint-Vincent cathedral: The original church, built in the 9th century, was burnt down during the attack by the Franks. Rebuilt by the archbishop Jean de Châtillon in the 12th century it became a cathedral in 1146. Built over nearly seven centuries it was finished in 1987 when the spire in the shape of a granite arrow, inspired from a 19th century model, was completed.